Strengthen Information Sharing to Defeat Trafficking, Says Ngozi Opara
The Bayelsa State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called for enhanced inter-agency collaboration, with a strong emphasis on intelligence sharing and joint sensitisation, as a critical strategy in the fight against human trafficking.
The State Commander of NAPTIP in Bayelsa, Mrs. Ngozi Opara, made this call during a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa State Command of the Federal Fire Service.
Opara, who led a delegation of officers from the command, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between both agencies. She stressed that improved cooperation—particularly in the areas of information exchange and coordinated public awareness campaigns—would significantly enhance efforts to curb human trafficking in the state.
According to her, “Human trafficking is a complex and evolving crime that requires all relevant institutions to work together. Information sharing and joint sensitisation are key to dismantling trafficking networks and protecting vulnerable persons in our communities.”
In his response, the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service in Bayelsa, Mr. Amos Diton, expressed appreciation to the NAPTIP Commander for the visit. He assured that the Fire Service Command remains committed to supporting NAPTIP in its mandate to combat human trafficking.
Diton noted that beyond its core emergency response duties, the agency recognises the importance of contributing to broader societal issues, including the fight against trafficking.
A major highlight of the visit was the symbolic issuance of “Red Cards” to human traffickers, a campaign initiative used by NAPTIP to publicly denounce and discourage the crime. The team also distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to further raise awareness.
The visit underscored the growing commitment among security and public service institutions in Bayelsa State to collaborate in addressing human trafficking and safeguarding human dignity.
